Ethics Commission clears Topovski

Wednesday

Jul 9, 2008 at 4:03 AM

By BRYAN SCHAAF

Staff Writer

WOOSTER -- More than a year and a half after having his integrity brought into question by a then-fellow council member, Wooster's Ward 2 representative has been cleared of any wrongdoing by the Ohio Ethics Commission.

Councilman Keith Topovski, D-Ward 2, announced the decision Monday during the miscellaneous portion of City Council's meeting and he also handed out a written statement to council members and administration.

"At all times since those allegations became public, I have steadfastly maintained that I did nothing improper, and that my vote on Ordinance No. 2006-42 was not impaired by any personal interest," Topovski wrote in a memo. "... It is my hope that this matter will now be put to rest and that there will be no further question as to my integrity, both with respect to my vote on that issue and in terms of my service as a member of Wooster City Council."

At a council meeting on Nov. 6, 2006, former Ward 1 representative Mindy Cavin alleged Topovski voted for a tax abatement for Compak Inc. in which there might have been personal gain.

The two went to grab a bite to eat after an Oct. 23, 2006, Finance Committee meeting and toward the end of the evening, Cavin said some of the statements made by Topovski led her to believe he had compromised his integrity on the Compak vote.

Topovski said shortly thereafter he was informed by a representative from the Ohio Ethics Commission a complaint had been filed against him.

He said he was advised to seek legal counsel, which he did so at "a considerable expense" to himself.

But after 20 months of investigations, City Law Director Richard Benson received a letter from the Ohio Ethics Commission on June 12 concluding there was "insufficient evidence to support a violation."

The letter advised staff to close the matter as an investigation without further action.

"It's been very stressful for myself and my family for the last 20 months," Topovski said. "I was confident all the time that I'd done nothing wrong, but to have that official notice that it didn't go anyplace, it's finally done. I was getting calls and people were stopping me asking about it just about every week. I hope to leave it alone now. I was hurt by the whole thing, but it's behind me now.

Jean Mohr, chairwoman of the Wayne County Democratic Party, said her party's stance hasn't changed throughout the investigation, referring to the 2006 statement that read, "The Wayne Democratic Party supports elected officials who exhibit the highest ethical principles and who make decisions that will improve the lives of all of our citizens. As a political party we expect official decisions to be absolutely devoid of any self-serving interests."

She added, "I'm just glad it's over."

Reporter Bryan Schaaf can be reached at 330-287-1645 or bschaaf@the-daily-record.com.

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